"Blended learning has taken off as one of the big trends in education over the past several years. Like flipped classrooms and 1:1 environments, it’s one of the top ways for teachers to leverage the power of technology in the classroom. It’s not a new concept, to be sure. However, there’s a new guide to understanding and implementing what’s being billed as blended learning 2.0.

"There are a few key stages of proper implementation that you should know if you’re looking to start climbing the blended learning tree. Starting from down at the roots is the planning process. It’s about a lot more than just ‘planning’ on buying some iPads. Planning involves creating appropriate blended learning spaces. That means you have a nice place for students to gather and collaborate while using technology. Scroll down to the bottom of the graphic below to get started."

To maximize the benefits of blended learning, we’ll need to rethink not just the system architecture of schooling, but also the physical architecture of schools themselves. We need more designers and architects thinking about how schools should change their physical design, clarifying the princip

A vision of schools in 2050: schools that are flexible, part of nimble community-based networks, and created to provide teachers and students with opportunities to work more closely on just-in-time learning.

This post is from 2012, but I guess MIT would want to claim they were ahead of the game!

I like it because it looks at a definition of blended learning and poses design questions. But I particularly like the, 'Pre-course - Course - Post-course model it suggests, with the Course element having face-to-face interaction. Looking at blended design in this way can help answer the question: What is the best use of the face-to-face time I have available?

A technology education teacher for nearly two decades, Rob Schwartz is in his first year at Sheridan Technical High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL, a blended-learning magnet school where he teaches an online technology course. In his previous position at Seminole Ridge High School in Palm Beach County, Schwartz created Brainbuffet, a classroom website, and oversaw students’ efforts to create a plugin to gamify the blogging platform WordPress. Now, students using WordPress can choose a screen name and an avatar and participate in digital design “missions.”

Over 35 educators across the country came together in a vibrant and vital discussion around the big question in #plearnchat: "Why is Universal Design for Learning the framework for Personalized Learning?" Read the Storify and be amazed what educators are saying about UDL and PL.

Over 35 educators across the country came together in a vibrant and vital discussion around the big question in #plearnchat: "Why is Universal Design for Learning the framework for Personalized Learning?" Take a look at the Storify and be amazed what educators are thinking about this big question.

Flipped learning is more than just having students do homework during the school day. It’s more than just putting the onus on students to teach themselves. In fact, it’s neither of those things. Don’t be fooled by simple explanations of flipped classrooms that simplify a highly complex undertaking.

Face Book is not just social media , expand your horizons , you can talk to people all over the world and learn new language, how to cook something different. With Skype you can take tour and never leave your home. You can get real news as it is unfolding. The world became so much smaller . There is a whole world out there waiting for you .

"Blended learning models and online courses are the latest trend in modern education. But an unexpected group of students may benefit from new technology in the classroom. Virtual programs can be tailored to specifically assist students with disabilities."

This article is exactly why I believe online education can be so beneficial to our society. There are virtual programs that can be designed to assist children and adults with disabilities when it comes to learning. In my own experience I have seen how children with autism who cannot speak have learned to type their feelings and words to communicate with others This is a major benefit of the technology because it can change the way people think about those with disabilities. Years ago many thought that children with special needs couldn't go to school because they didn't know how to teach them but now there are tools to help make that happen because of the internet.

"While everyone seems to have their own view of what a blended solution looks like, most will agree that 21st century “courses” will contain lessons/modules that vary in their media selection, and mode of delivery."

Blended learning, despite our lack of clarity in defining it, is not only the future of education, but largely, the present. I think every teacher should check into this- Consider, "how can I use technology to increase the meaning of the content?" You don't have to be fancy to to present blended instruction.

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